Who Is It For?

Yr9 Ecology Flashcards Preview

Define adaptation.

Feature of an organism that enables it to survive in a particular habitat.

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Define behavioural adaptation.

Behaviour of an organism that enables it to survive in a particular habitat.

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Define carnivore.

Consumer that only eats other animals.

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Define consumer.

An organism in a food chain that eats other plants / or animals.

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Define ecology.

The branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms.

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Define ecosystem.

A system involving the interactions between a community of living organisms in a particular area and its non-living environment.

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Define endangered.

A species is endangered if the population numbers are very low and it is at serious risk of extinction in the near future.

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Define endemic species.

A species of organisms that is only found in one area of the world. eg New Zealand.

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Define food chain.

Diagram to show the flow of chemical potential energy between organisms in a habitat.

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Define habitat.

The place where an organism lives.

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Define herbivore.

An organism that only consumes pants

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Define omnivore.

An organism that consumes both plant and animals.

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Define organism

A living thing.

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Define predator.

An organism that hunts other animals.

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Define prey.

An organism that is hunted by predators.

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Define producer.

Plants - carry out photosynthesis to 'start' a food chain.

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Define structural adaptation.

Physical part of an organism's body that enables it to survive in its habitat. eg fur on a bear

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Define trophic level.

Level of organisation in a food chain or web. eg the producer is trophic level 1

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Define physiological adaptions.

Adaptations such as change in the organism's biochemistry or internal mechanisms to deal with an environmental problem.

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Define flora.

The plants of a particular region or habitat.

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Name 3 endemic animal species in NZ.

Kea, Kiwi and Tui.

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Name 3 extinct animal species in NZ.

Laughing owl, Moa and Bush wren.

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Name 3 endangered plant species in NZ

Limestone cress, coastal peppercress and Dune swale daphne.

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Name 3 endangered animal species in NZ.

Kakapo, Maui's dolphin and Black robin.

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What are some reasons why NZ flora and fauna is endangered?

Humans colonizing New Zealand. Since the arrival of people in 1300AD, 3/4 of the natural forest has been removed which resulted in a reduction in habitat and food. Also, humans have accidently realised pest and predators.

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Define fauna

The animal of a particular region or habitat.

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Why is ecology important in NZ?

Ecology is important in NZ because we have lots native and endemic species. Endemic species only exist in New Zealand and so if they were to die out in NZ, the world would lose an entire species. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect them. This is done by the study of ecology.

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What is the difference between onshore and offshore islands?

Off shore islands are separated from the mainland by water so that predators cannot swim there. On shore islands are on the mainland but are separated by fences and nets.

How much energy remains from each stage transfer in a food chain?

10%

What is a herbivore?

Animal that only eats plants.

What is an omnivore?

An animal that eats a variety of other animals and plants.

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What is a carnivore?

An animal that eats other animals.

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Who is the 1st trophic level?

Producer

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Why do food chains rarely consist of more than 5 trophic levels.

Most food chains rarely consist of more than five trophic levels because a lot of energy is lost at each level. After each level, only 10% of the energy is passed on, this means it’s harder for animals to get enough food. This also explains why there are fewer organisms at the top of the food chain compared to lower down.

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Define food web.

Shows all the food chains in an ecosystem.

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Name three kiwi adaptations

Whiskers at the base of their beak to aid in nocturnal navigation. Nostrils at the end of their beak assist them in finding food. Being nocturnal to avoid predators during the day.

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What are the two types ways a producer can produce?

Photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.

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Define chemosynthesis

Synthesising organic compounds by bacteria or other living organisms using chemical reactions involving inorganic chemicals, normally in the absence of sunlight.

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What is an example of an organism that uses chemosynthesis?

Giant tube worm living at the ocean floor.

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Where does the other 90% of energy go?

respiration, growth and reproduction, defecation, and nonpredatory death